Youth Multimedia Arts Competition 2025

Envisioning a World Free from Nuclear Weapons

In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (Treaty of Bangkok)

Overview

A world without nuclear weapons is more than an aspiration—it’s a vision of peace, dignity, and security that future generations deserve. To celebrate 30 years since the signing of the Treaty of Bangkok, the Government of Thailand and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), through its Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD), invite young people across Southeast Asia to create, imagine, and advocate through art.

The competition empowers youth to translate disarmament from a technical agenda into a lived and visualized aspiration—linking the Bangkok Treaty with global efforts such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Pact for the Future, and A New Agenda for Peace. The initiative is also organized through the support from the Youth Leader Fund for a World without Nuclear Weapons (YLF), as a regional component of that programme, funded by the Government of Japan.

Who Can Apply

  • Eligibility: Ages 18–29
  • Nationality: ASEAN Member States and Timor‑Leste

Categories

  1. Photography
    • Format & Submission:
      • Submit in JPEG or PNG format, minimum resolution 300 dpi.
      • Color or black-and-white photos are accepted.
      • Each participant may submit only one photograph.
      • Only individual submissions are accepted; group entries will not be considered.
    • Originality & Editing
      • Entries must be the participant’s own original work, taken within the past 2 years.
      • Minor adjustments and post-processing (e.g., cropping, brightness, contrast, color correction) are allowed.
      • Excessive digital manipulation or AI-generated images will not be accepted in the photography category.
    • Content & Theme
      • Photographs should reflect the theme: “Envisioning a World Free from Nuclear Weapons”
      • Each participant must submit a short rationale (max 300 words) explaining the concept of the artwork and its connection to the theme.
      • Entries may depict people, places, objects, or symbolic representations related to peace, security, and nuclear disarmament.
      • Ensure photos respect human dignity, cultural sensitivity, and consent if identifiable persons are included.
    • · Technical Notes
      • No watermarks, signatures, or logos on the photograph.
      • Both portrait and landscape accepted, but orientation should be consistent with artistic intent.
  2. Short Film / Animation
    • Format & Submission
      • Submit in MP4 format, max resolution 1080p (Full HD).
      • Length: maximum 3 minutes (including credits).
      • Dialogue or narration may be in any ASEAN language, but must include English subtitles.
      • Individual and group submissions are accepted for the short film/animation category. For group entries, only one representative will be invited to the Awards Ceremony and Exhibition in Bangkok if selected.
    • Content & Storytelling
      • Films and animations should creatively interpret the theme: “Envisioning a World Free from Nuclear Weapons”
      • Each participant must submit a short rationale (max 300 words) explaining the concept of the artwork and its connection to the theme.
      • Acceptable formats include live action, stop-motion, 2D/3D animation, or mixed media.
      • Storylines should be clear, original, and accessible to a regional/global audience.
    • Technical Notes
      • All footage, visual assets, background music and sound effects must be original, royalty-free, or properly licensed.
      • If other people appear in the video, participants must obtain consent for their appearance and use.
      • AI-generated video content will not be accepted.
      • Participants should ensure submissions do not infringe on copyright or intellectual property.
  3. Visual Arts (Traditional Art and Digital Art)
    • Format & Submission
      • For traditional visual arts, artwork should be at least the size of a standard sheet of paper (A4) and no larger than a poster size (A2).
      • For digital art, the canvas should be at least the size of A4 at 300 dpi (about 2,500 × 3,500 pixels).
      • Submit in JPEG, PNG, or TIFF format, minimum resolution 300 dpi.
      • Each participant may submit only one entry in this subcategory.
      • Only individual submissions are accepted; group entries will not be considered.
    • Content & Storytelling
      • Artworks must be entirely created by the participant either entirely in digital form using digital tools (e.g., drawing tablets, painting or vector software) or through traditional visual arts (such as painting, drawing, sketches, and mixed media), provided they are scanned or photographed at high quality for submission.
      • Entries should reflect the theme: “Envisioning a World Free from Nuclear Weapons.”
      • Each participant must submit a short rationale (max 300 words) explaining the concept of the artwork and its connection to the theme.
      • Participants are encouraged to use symbolism, narrative, and visual advocacy to communicate their story — taking viewers from challenge to hope to solution.
    • Technical Notes
      • Use of AI tools, templates, or stock images is strictly prohibited.
      • For traditional visual arts, organizers may request the original artwork, which must follow these size limits (A4 to A2), if selected.
      • AI-detection software will be applied to verify originality.
      • Organizers may request raw files or metadata for verification.
      • The judging panel will select 3 finalists in this subcategory.
  4. Visual Art (AI Art)
    • Format & Submission
      • Submit in JPEG, PNG, or TIFF format, with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
      • Each participant may submit only one entry in this subcategory.
      • Only individual submissions are accepted.
      • For further rules on the responsible use of AI, please see the Important Considerations section below.
    • Content & Storytelling
      • Artworks may use AI tools but must show significant creative input from the participant (prompt design, curation, editing, or post-production).
      • Entries should reflect the theme: “Envisioning a World Free from Nuclear Weapons.” – Submissions must include a short rationale (max 300 words) and an additional process note (max 300 words) explaining how AI tools were used.
      • Storytelling should be clear, original, and accessible to regional/global audiences.
    • Technical Notes
      • Purely AI-generated works with no human contribution will not be accepted.
      • AI-detection software will be used to assess originality and verify the level of AI involvement.
      • Participants remain responsible for ensuring submissions do not infringe copyright or intellectual property rights.
      • The judging panel will select 2 finalists in this subcategory.

Awards & Opportunities

  • Grand Prizes:
    • 1 winner in Photography
    • 1 winner in Short Film/Animation
    • 2 winners in Visual Arts
      Prize: Sponsored study trip to Hiroshima (Japan) as part of the Youth Leader Fund (YLF) 2025–2026 programme—learn about nuclear disarmament, meet hibakusha, and join cultural/educational activities.
  • Finalists’ Programme in Bangkok (Dec 2025):
    • Top 4 in Photography
    • Top 4 in Short Film/Animation
    • Top 8 in Visual Arts (3 Traditional, 3 Digital, 2 AI)
  • Global Visibility:
    • Works showcased in an online digital gallery
    • Exhibition at UN Headquarters in New York during the 2026 NPT Review Conference (tentative)
  • All winners and finalist will be Invited to Bangkok for an awards ceremony, exhibition, skills workshops, cultural exchange, and networking.
  • Travel support will be provided per UN rules and regulations.

Judging & Criteria

Judging CriteriaDownload
  • Storytelling & Advocacy – 35% (clarity, impact, persuasive power)
  • Creativity & Originality – 30% (novelty, concept, inventive use of medium)
  • Relevance to Theme – 25% (alignment with disarmament values and the theme)
  • Technical Quality – 10% (execution, composition, audio/visual quality)

Submission Guidelines

  • Submission Guidelines
    • Submissions must be made by applicants in their personal or organizational capacity. Entries submitted on behalf of a commercial enterprise, company, or government will not be accepted.
    • Entries may be disqualified if evidence of plagiarism is found.
    • Submissions must include a freely accessible file of the work being submitted (no passwords, restricted access, or download limitations).
    • Each entry must be accompanied by a brief written description (maximum 300 words) explaining the intent and connection to the contest theme.
    • While optional, participants are encouraged to include a photo or short video (30–60 seconds) showing themselves in the process of creating their artwork, photograph, or film. This behind-the-scenes content will not be judged but may be used for outreach and exhibition purposes (with the participant’s consent).
  • By entering the contest, applicants agree that their work may be used by the organizers for public outreach efforts, including but not limited to:
    • Web-based communications
    • Official webpages
    • Social media platforms
    • On-site exhibitions and public presentations
    • Merches for distribution

How to Submit

  1. Prepare your artwork file(s) according to your category’s technical specs.
    • Optional: A behind-the-scenes photo or short video (30–60 seconds) of you creating your work
  2. Write your rationale (≤ 300 words). For AI Art, also include a process note (≤ 300 words) explaining how AI tools were used.
  3. Ensure files are freely accessible (no passwords/restrictions).
  4. Complete the online form and upload your materials.

Learn More about Disarmament

For background information on disarmament, including what it means, why it matters, and access to resources and videos, participants are encouraged to explore the Disarmament Education Dashboard. This platform provides accessible learning materials (videos, infographics, e-learning, etc.) to help you deepen your understanding and inspire your creative submissions.

Important Considerations

  • Responsible Use of AI
    • While technology can be a valuable tool, the heart of this competition lies in human creativity. Submissions that depend too heavily on artificial intelligence, without meaningful artistic direction from the participant, will not be considered. To ensure fairness, the organizers will use AI-detection software to verify originality. Participants may also be asked to provide drafts, raw files, or explanations of their process to confirm their creative role.
  • Copyright and Intellectual Property
    • Respect for originality is essential. Every artwork must be the participant’s own creation, free from unauthorized use of copyrighted material, stock images, or third-party assets. If an entry is later found to infringe on copyright or intellectual property rights, it will be withdrawn from the competition, and any awards may be revoked. The responsibility for ensuring originality rests entirely with the participant. Participants grant organizers a non-exclusive right to display, reproduce, and publish submissions for non-commercial purposes, with proper credit
  • Respect, Sensitivity, and Neutrality
    • This competition is about envisioning a peaceful and nuclear-weapon-free world. For this reason, submissions must avoid offensive, violent, or discriminatory imagery of any kind. Artworks should not reference or depict specific countries, governments, political leaders, or identifiable individuals, as the focus should be on universal messages of hope, cooperation, and shared humanity. Respect for cultural diversity and human dignity is paramount, and participants are encouraged to use their art as a bridge across cultures rather than a divider.
  • Conflicts of Interest
    • To maintain impartiality, participants must avoid conflicts of interest. If a participant has a personal, family, or financial relationship with a member of the judging panel, this must be declared at the time of submission. In such cases, the organizers reserve the right to take appropriate measures, including assigning an alternative evaluation process, to ensure fairness

Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

Submit here: [https://gqr.sh/mUte]

For media or general inquiries: [unrcpd-info@un.org]